2007 Bankhoops All-State Mini-Camp

Eastside Edition

By the Editors

16 September 2007

greatlakeshoops.com

(Cover shots: Detroit Consortium's Jeremy Derricko and Whitehall's Jaren Edsall)

Swartz Creek-- Better than 100 up-and-coming prep basketball players descended upon Swartz Creek, Michigan, for the eastside edition of the 2007 Bankhoops All-State Mini-Camp at the Cage Fieldhouse on Sunday. Players from all over the state got a chance to refine their games working with some of the top high school coaches in mid-Michigan including Holly's Lance Baylis and Saginaw Nouvel's Warren Wood.

In the afternoon, each player was assigned to a team and given three games apiece to showcase their wares in front of college coaches and geeky media-types.

Once again, the production value was high and the camp went off without a hitch. Credit Steve Bell and the staff at the Cage for a great day of hoops.

Several players who are already on the radar like Lapeer West's Chris Hutton, Flint Carman-Ainsworth's Terrance Keaton (right) and Petoskey's  Dustin Dibble showed out on Sunday, but they did so alongside some lesser-known players who certainly didn't look the part. 

What follows is a rundown of some of the top players at this year's camp:

All Tournament Team:

Terrance Keaton

Dustin Dibble

Trey Zeigler

Jaren Edsall

Chris Hutton

All Senior:

Brad Norman

Devon Weaver

Dustin Dibble

Jaren Edsall

Chris Hutton

All Junior:

Terrance Keaton

Daniel Thwing (right)

Brandon Pokley

Jordan Fowler

Russell Hope

All Sophomore:

Brandon Crane

Mitchel Vallie

Trey Zeigler

Justin Fowler

Glen Cosey

Freshmen of note:

DeAnthony Arnett

Patrick Lucas-Perry

Standouts

DeAnthony Arnett  5’11”  Freshman  Saginaw Arthur Hill

I’ve heard a lot about this kid and I can safely say that he’s good and possesses a ton of upside. He’s not Maurice Jones-Cooper, but he’s quick and can make some electrifying plays. His shot needs work and he has to play a little more under control, but he's definitely one to watch for the future.

Joe Blanchett  6’1”  Sophomore  Owosso

Technically sound player. Has the right mechanics from deep and hits pretty consistently. As he matures and develops athletically he should become a top area two guard. Has the work ethic to be a great player down the road.

Leonidas Caldwell 6'2'' Senior Flint International Academy

Caldwell is smart and extremely athletic. He is much-improved as a ballhandler but still needs to add more polish to his offensive game. He is skilled as a defensive player, with quick feet and a muscular upper body. His athleticism coupled with his prowess in the classroom has garnered interest from schools like Case Western, the University of Chicago and Washington University in Saint Louis. Caldwell's block against Trey Ziegler was probably the play of the day.

Ahmad Cheers  5’10”  Senior  Flint Carman Ainsworth (right)

Top-tier defender that knocked down shots and ran his team efficiently. Getting stronger by the week and should get a lot of tick on a loaded Flint Carman-Ainsworth squad this winter.

Glen Cosey  5’10”  Sophomore  Flint Carman Ainsworth (right)

Slick young point guard that could play a lot of minutes for Flint C-A’s varsity. Plays extremely smart basketball. He throws some difficult passes and makes them look easy and can finish amongst the trees. Also a reliable threat from deep. Not at Patrick Lucas-Perry's level, scoring-wise, but may be the better point guard at this point.

Brandon Crane  6’10”  Sophomore  Midland (lower right)

He’s impressive in drills. Brandon is a coordinated dunker and connects on shots, even if his form isn’t quite there. However, in games his slight frame still keeps him from being the force that he’s capable of becoming.

Jeremy Derricko  6’4”  Senior  Detroit Consortium

Nice athlete that showed great bounce from the wing position. Fantastic in the open court. He's not afraid to shoot it now, later and all times in between.

Dustin Dibble  6’4”  Senior  Petoskey

Nice player. Can finish with either hand and does quite often. Good shooter, but was stuck in the paint for the most part. That actually shows a lot of character. A lot of taller guys at the camp who felt they were wings could be seen floating around the perimeter, but Dibble was willing to go inside when needed. Strong body with tree trunk legs, which gave him a huge advantage over opponents at the camp.

Jaren Edsall  6’3”  Senior  Whitehall 

This was the sleeper of the camp. Edsall is a cat-quick guard that is capable of flushing it on any given possession. He’s also a reliable shooter, but tends to jump too high on his shot, so when his legs tire his shot is gone. That cat-quickness also translates well on defense as he deflected several passes. He’s a guy to keep an eye on.

Tyler Feeney  6’4”  Senior  Webberville

I was pretty impressed with this class D product. He knocked down some nice jumpers and complemented Terrance Keaton in the post. Strong, broad shouldered kid that should dominate in class D.

Jordan Fowler  5’11”  Junior  Holly

Jordan looked solid as usual. Good passer, good shooter and plays beyond his years on defense. Tweaked his leg in a much anticipated match-up against Russell Hope, so I guess we’ll have to wait for the season. Jordan could have been used as the poster boy for every drill in the morning session. Not as adept in the passing game as Hope, but a better ballhandler and at this point.

Justin Fowler  5’9”  Sophomore  Holly

The younger Fowler looked pretty darn good. He’s a true point guard although he probably won’t play it with his brother playing next to him at Holly. Makes all the right passes and can drill the three. May challenge Chris Hutton for top three-ball at the camp.

Wayne Gordon  6’3”  Senior  Ypsilanti

Long and bouncy kid that proved to be a match-up problem all day.

Ty Graham  6’3”  Senior  Reese (right)

A real guard that plays like a veteran. Tricky finisher that has little problem adjusting to defenders. The kind of guy that you want out on the floor at all times. Loves to play.

Russell Hope  5’9”  Junior Swartz Creek

The consummate pest. A tireless defender that routinely robbed opponents of the gimmes. Solid ball-handler, nice shooter and perhaps one the best passers in the state – Crater had the best vision I’ve ever seen, but Hope may have the best accuracy. Scored 18 points and dished out 10 assists in his final game. Drew more than his fair share of "atta-boys" in the drill sessions.

Chris Hutton  6’1”  Senior  Lapeer West (right)

Was the top scorer at the camp. Chris was raining threes all day. I knew he could shoot, but he looked like Brad Redford out there. Chris also showed quickness off the dribble and toughness going to the hole. He needs to improve on his transition game, but everything else, even his play-making looked great. He’s also an underrated defender. He did the best job checking Trey Zeigler of anyone that I saw. Scored 25 points against the top team at the camp.

Demarkus Jackson  5’11”  Senior  Flint Hamady (right)

A very strong body, great attitude, very good ball handler and great passer.  A nice point guard that thinks pass first and has great vision.  High energy player.  Unusual shot, but it goes in.  Needs to work on shot form and develop jump shot more.  Natural leader that is always a factor with his competitive edge. Jackson should be the top guard in the GAC Blue this season.

Chris Jones  5’11”  Sophomore  Saginaw Heritage

Point guard trapped in a shooting guard’s body. Can hit from range and is a nice finisher around the hoop.

Terrance Keaton  6’5”  Junior  Flint Carman Ainsworth

The loudest kid in the gym. If he’s playing well, not only do you have to suffer with him out-rebounding your post and collecting and-one after and-one, but you also have to hear him yelling about it. Very vocal, emotional player. A quick leaper that’s active on either end. Solid touch around the bucket and improving as a shooter. Should be a huge asset over at Flint C-A. Top post player at the camp.

Patrick Lucas-Perry  5’9”  Freshman  Flint Powers Catholic

He’s the top freshman point guard I’ve seen. His game is always flawless and he continues to add more dimensions each time I see him. Good shooter, deceptive athleticism and smart defender.

Brad Norman 5'10'' Senior Bay City Central

One of the top all-around players at the camp, Norman caught the eye of a lot of coaches with his basketball I.Q. and sweet stroke from range. Norman won't be an unknown for long in the City by the Bay.

Brandon Pokely  6’4”  Junior  Clarkston

Another Clarkston product that plays solid fundamental basketball and can drill the three.

Frank Rogers  6’4”  Senior  Holly (right)

A poor man’s Kody Kokx. Great at catching and putting the ball on the floor from the blocks and finding the cup. Strong lower body that allows him to work against taller opponents.

Peter Sarnacki  6’6”  Senior  Grand Rapids Catholic Central

A broad shouldered bull. He attempted a dunk late in the day and I thought the whole basket was going to collapse.

Lavario Smith  6’1”  Sophomore  Saginaw Heritage

Active kid that’s efficient around the hoop. Undersized for the post so he’ll have to develop a little more on the perimeter, but he’s got the talent to get there.

Daniel Thwing  6’2”  Junior  Davison

Thwing played the wing for the Mid-Michigan Lakers, but would have had zero problem running the point. Danny is quick up and down the floor, with or without the ball. His quick first step and long stride make him difficult for opponents to keep pace with. Also a sound shooter and talented on the ball defender.

Mitchel Vallie  6’4”  Sophomore  Grand Blanc

Should be a varsity player for GB this season. Can knock down outside shots, but plays tough enough inside.

Derek Warner  6’2”  Sophomore  Goodrich

Another reason to believe that the Martians will be unbeatable in the GAC. Strong and smart guard that can get up and down the court.

Devon Weaver  6’5”  Senior Flint Northwestern (right)

Hard working attitude with a smooth, finesse body/game. Will crash the boards and work in the paint, but can play outside just as well. Bouncy kid that tries to cram it on everyone around him.

Tyler Wilson 5'9'' Senior Flint International Academy

 Wilson, easily the strongest player at the camp, was also one of the quickest. He gets up and down the floor like a sprinter (which, of course, he is) and finishes strong in the paint. His outside shot is improving, but he still needs to tighten up his handle to play point guard in college. Wilson looks like a division one running back.

Trey Zeigler  6’5”  Sophomore  Mount Pleasant

It was great to see Trey out there. Not many division one recruits have the stones to attend these camps, but Trey did and his reputation only improved. He can do it all and does so with a stoic demeanor. Better athlete than I thought and virtually unguardable. Too big for guards and too quick for big men. Ernie has to be a proud dad.

Jared's top ten performers

1.) Chris Hutton, Lapeer West: Top shooter, top scorer, all effort

2.) Trey Ziegler, Mt. Pleasant: Will be a division one player

3.) Dustin Dibble, Petoskey: Strong, smart and skilled

4.) Terrance Keaton, Flint Carman-Ainsworth: High energy, top shelf scorer/rebounder

5.) Jeremy Derricko, Detroit Consortium: Top athlete in camp

6.) Jaren Edsall, Whitehall: Where did this guy come from?

7.) Brad Norman, Bay City Central: As well-rounded as they come at this level

8.) Devon Weaver, Flint Northwestern: Inside, outside, he gets it done

9.) Russell Hope, Swartz Creek: Crafty on offense, annoying on defense

10.) Tyler Wilson, Flint International Academy: Scored a lot of points, didn't give up many

Cage cozy for young Flint point guard...